Apprentice Kate Cowan wore a smile that lit up the gloom at Hawera on Saturday when she landed her first career winner aboard the Aidan Schumacher trained Kolee.
The softly spoken 23 year-old was having just her 11th raceday ride and produced a polished display to land the four-year-old mare a narrow but decisive winner in the Tree Awareness Maiden (1600m). Despite making a somewhat tardy beginning Cowan soon had Kolee positioned nicely in midfield as the field made their way to the halfway mark in the contest.
With Kolee travelling sweetly Cowan angled her into the clear to make a swooping run to challenge for the lead approaching the home corner. Local runner Skuffle took over early in the home straight but under a steady hands and heels ride Kolee responded to the challenge to gain the edge in the final stages.
Cowan, who is the daughter of well known former top jumps rider and now trainer Alex "Snooky" Cowan, was naturally delighted with the victory.
"It was absolutely outstanding, the feeling is just so surreal," she explained when questioned after the race.
"She didn't jump too well as she kind of bounded out of the gates. I was supposed to ride her a little handier so I thought I'd better get going which I'm glad I did as she had such a good kick."
Cowan also had the perfect response when questioned about the smile on her face in the concluding stages of the race.
"I think it might have been a grit of the teeth rather than a smile," she laughed.
It was a red letter day for Cowan, who is apprenticed to Wanganui master trainer Kevin Myers, as she finished second on evergreen galloper Nashville along with placing third on Sardeen with her only other rides on the programme.
